 He was appointed coach at Real Madrid for the 1953–54 season and with a team that included Alfredo Di Stéfano, Francisco Gento, Miguel Muñoz, Luis Molowny and Héctor Rial he guided the club to their first La Liga title since 1933.He managed Real for 10 games at the start of the 1954–55 season but was then replaced by José Villalonga.Fernández also managed Real Betis for 10 games during the 1959–60 season.